Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Høgste Riste (Riste), 191m (Rinden)
Sørekletten (Storholmen), 67m
 

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Sande
Maps : 1119-III Vanylven  (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : Høgste Riste: 191m
Sørekletten: 67m
Hiked : July 2010
See also :
Rinden (Sandsøya) Saursegga
Nonshornet (Kvamsøya) Nystøylhornet
See also : Other Sande mountains

Riste

Riste
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Riste is a small island in Sande municipality (Møre og Romsdal county) and is located just north of Kvamsøya island. Ristesundet strait (approx. 750 meters at the narrowest point) separates the two islands. The island is overall green, has no forests and comparisons to the Faroe islands have been frequently made.

There is no public transport to Riste, and shallow waters and lack of a proper harbour are some of the factors as to why only few people visit this island. Riste was deserted in 1964, but the foundation "Stiftelsen Ristes Vener" has interests in this island, and is looking after the only remaining house on the island. In 1801, Riste had 8 inhabitants, and can not be said to have been overpopulated since. By modern standards, Riste stands out as a remote and isolated island, but this wasn't always the case; In the old days, the inhabitants were given extra tax because of the island's central location. The times have changed...

 

Riste

Riste
(Click for larger image)



At the present, the only habitants is a flock of (more than 100) spelsau (Old Norwegian Short Tail Landrace Sheep). As most (if not all) are marked, they should probably not be referred to as wild sheep. A number of bird species breed on the cliffs of the island, but the number vary from year to year. According to the professionals - Riste is also extraordinarily rich on plants and flowers (more than 100 species). According to information found on the internet, the Ramsons flower causes the sheep milk to taste bad. The concentration of Fine-Leaved Heath (Erica Cinerea) is among the largest in the county. There are also large concentrations of Fairy Flax (Linum catharticum) on the northeast side.

Riste naturreservat (nature reserve) was defined as a protected area May 28 2010, covering 1,568km² (Verneplan for hekkende sjøfugl i Møre og Romsdal - Kongelig resulusjon - external link). Entrance to the higher part of the island is prohibited in the period May 1 - July 31. This resolution is in effect as of Aug 1 2010. Per end of July 2010, no information signs had yet been posted on Riste. For those who wants to visit the top, the key note is that access to the top is allowed in this period, but only along the path.

On the Norwegian maps, the mountain top is named Rinden. The same name is also used on Sandsøya's highest point.  According to information obtained from Ristes Vener, this name has never been used on Riste. The highest point has only be referred to as Høgste Riste.

 

Riste

Riste
(Click for larger image)

 

Storholmen has no particular relation to Riste, other than that there is no public transport to this small island either. The trip report to Riste (see below) also covers a visit to Storholmen. The island is located approx. 5km southeast of Riste, with Kvamsøya in-between. There is a proper harbour on the northeast side, but the island does not seem to be inhabited. Those who want to visit the high point (Sørekletten) are recommended to take into consideration the (large) gull colony during the breeding season (summer) and minimize the footprints. Storholmen is (per July 2010) not a nature reserve, and there are no restrictions against moving around on the island.

 

Storholmen

Storholmen
(Click for larger image)

 

Primary factor:

Høgste Riste (Rinden on the map) (Norge 1:50,000: 191m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 191,11m, UTM 32 V 310568 6905717) has a primary factor of 191m, being the highest point on Riste island.

GPS measurement read 195m (on the ground), averaged over a 10-minute period (error margin +/- 1m)

Sørekletten on Storholmen (Norge 1:50,000: 67m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 67,3m, UTM 32 V 311716 6900017) has a primary factor of 67m, being the highest point on Storholmen island.

GPS measurement read 68m (on the trigonometric point - 2 meters high), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 4m).

 

Riste

Riste
(Click for larger image)

 

Google map

Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
 

 

Google maps
Google maps
(Click on image)

 

Trail descriptions

Route 1: To Riste (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : YDS Class 1
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 1,6km to the top (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 30-40 minutes to the top
Starting Elev.: Sea level
Vertical Gain : Approx. 200m
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)


This route description is valid per July 2010

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

To get to Riste island, you need to organize private boat transport.

The route

View towards Riste high point

View towards Riste high point
(Click for larger image)

The normal place to anchor (N62.22864 E5.37162 - low tide) is near the house on the southeast side of the island. Walk up to the house and locate a path that passes point 77m (Klettane) on the east side. Back on the main ridge, you need to cross a fence (no apparent opening was found during our visit). Follow the main ridge up to the summit (N62.23519 E5.35380), marked by a fallen trigonometric point and a canister for the visitor's register. Note that in the period May 1 - July 31, you are obligated to follow the main path.

 


Route 2: To Sørekletten (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : YDS Class 2
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 1km to the top (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 20 minutes to the top
Starting Elev.: Sea level
Vertical Gain : 67m
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)


This route description is valid per July 2010

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

To get to Storholment island, you need to organize private boat transport.

The route

Storholmen harbour

Storholmen harbour
(Click for larger image)

Anchor up at the main harbour (N62.18697 E5.39181). Go up (west) until you reach a trail that runs towards a cabin further south. Then follow a trail down to the shore. Follow the shore until you're south of Sørekletten, then head north up to the high point (N62.18470 E5.38196) - marked by a trigonometric point.

The route along the shore will appear as a detour, but the meadow between Sørekletten and the harbour is really, really strenuous. Besides, a large gull colony breeds here during the summer, and they will not be happy if you are trespassing. Taking the shore route may slightly reduce the impact of your presence...


Pictures and Trip reports:


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